Page 80 of Big Bad Wolfe

“Red and black are Disciple colors. Maybe Jerome isn’t thrilled about Calvin hanging out at the Center instead of with the gang.”

“You wanna know about Calvin’s brother, ask Calvin. I got no use for the Disciples.” Farley’s chin jutted. “I gotta get back to work now. Unless you wanna fuck with my headdowntown.”

Zane extracted one of his cards from his wallet inside his jeans pocket, handed it to the kid. “You see or hear anything suspicious, give me a call. Someone’s stalking Jillian.” His resolute gaze bored into Farley’s defiant one. “And no matter who it is, I will stop them.”

* * *

Three-and-a-half hours later, Zane again drove to the Hope Center from Jillian’s house. After they’d finished the paint job and Dean and his crew had departed, Zane had pulled Calvin aside and spoken with him. The boy had appeared troubled by Zane’s questions, and finally reluctantly admitted his brother was definitely capable of harassing Jillian and defacing the center in retaliation for Calvin scorning the gang lifestyle. But Calvin had disavowed any knowledge of Jerome’s activities and claimed he no longer had contact with his brother or the Disciples.

Zane let him go, then called Officer Ray. Apparently Cape Hope didn’t have a dedicated gang task force, but Ray was fully familiar with Jerome and the Disciples and swore to immediately investigate. Zane would make a trip to the local cop shop within the next twenty-four hours to personally follow through.

Zane had returned to Jillian’s house, showered, changed, and tossed his paint-hardened clothes in the trash. Since he’d arrived in Cape Hope, his duds had taken as bad a beating as his libido and peace of mind.

He parked at the Center and strode to the front door. As he reached for the buzzer, Dallas’ hail behind him brought him up short.

He turned to see Mia and Dallas emerging from the white sedan Zane had rented for them after arranging their helo transport from Portland.

Dallas grinned as the couple hurried toward him. “We have to stop meeting like this, Wolfe.”

“Yep,” Mia chimed in. “People will start talking about your bromance.”

Zane smiled at his friends. He’d explained about Loucinda’s accident and the upcoming play in his early morning phone call to Dallas after phoning Dean Ramsay. “Thanks for coming. The Center’s security upgrade just moved to number one priority.”

“Like Dallas told you on the phone,” Mia said, “luckily neither of us have any pressing cases at the moment—except yours. I filed all the paperwork on that yesterday as promised. We’re happy to help.”

“Nasty business.” Dallas studied the building. “You got it cleaned up already, I see. That was fast.”

“Jillian’s dad brought paint and his construction crew, and some of the older kids pitched in.” He quickly briefed them on his theories about Farley and Calvin, and his slow progress with Deb’s files and phone records.

He buzzed for admittance, identified himself to Tala over the intercom, and the door lock clicked open.

A surprised Jillian met them inside the main office with exuberant hugs for all three. She turned to Tala, who was manning the reception counter. “This is Dallas and Mia McQuade. Dallas is a security expert and Mia is our attorney.”

The McQuades greeted Tala, and Mia smiled at the pregnant teen. “Looks like you and I have something in common.”

“Yeah.” Tala pressed her lips together. “You’re a lawyer, huh? How much do you cost?”

“I work on a sliding scale, according to income. For some clients, I don’t charge anything. Do you know someone who needs a lawyer?”

“Maybe. My grandmother has … She said …” Tala glanced cautiously at the assembled group. “Um … but we don’t have any money except her Social Security checks.”

Mia pulled a card from her purse and passed it to the girl. “Have her phone me. Free of charge.”

Jillian touched Mia’s shoulder. “Not that I’m not happy to see you again so soon, but what are you doing here?”

“Zane called Dallas this morning and said you needed the new security system pronto, and that you have a big fundraising event coming up. So I decided to tag along and see if I could help with anything.”

“Wow.” Jillian gulped. “You both dropped everything and came on a moment’s notice? I hope we’re not inconveniencing you too much.”

“Not a bit,” Dallas said. “Zane whisked us here in first-class style, and we’ve decided to take a break for a week or two and rent a cottage on the beach. One of the perks of self-employment. We can both do any work that might pop up from here, and we’ll be close by in case you need backup.”

Jillian’s eyes sheened. “That is so sweet, thank you! Zane is blessed to have such wonderful, generous friends.”

“Hey.” Mia embraced Jillian in another hug, her voice suspiciously wobbly. “We’re your friends now, too.”

“Oh, no,” Dallas drawled. “Don’t start the waterworks, ladies.” He rolled his eyes at Zane. “You have no freakin’ idea of the hell-on-earth that is pregnancy hormones.”

“Thank you, Jesus,” Zane replied fervently.

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